Lynn May Save Music Program At Harid

October 31, 1998|By TIM SMITH Music Writer

Harid Conservatory's music division, fighting to survive after a major benefactor withdrew his support, is actively being courted by its Boca Raton neighbor, Lynn University. On Oct. 6, Harid's board of directors announced that the music division would be closed in July if $2 million was not raised from the community by January.

The ultimatum followed a decision by the conservatory's founding donor to confine his future contributions to Harid's dance division, which opened in 1988. The music school opened in 1991, offering free tuition to students chosen by audition; it quickly established a reputation for artistic quality.

Since the board's announcement, there has been talk of several options, including a partnership with a nearby educational institution.

On Friday, Harid board president James Hankins and Lynn Univerity president Don Ross issued a joint press release revealing that discussions between the two schools have been going on since Oct. 2.

Those discussions have now ``moved beyond the exploratory stage,'' Hankins said.

There already has been a tour of Harid's music division by Lynn officials, and a joint committee has been appointed to consider arrangements for a possible long-term relationship.

``We view this as two neighbors joining forces for the benefit of the community,'' Ross said in the prepared statement.

Lynn is not the only possible rescuer. A delegation from Florida Atlantic University has also toured the Harid facilities recently.

Meanwhile, Harid's seven-member board has reportedly been feeling pressure from some of the music school's major supporters.

Paul Milhous, one of Harid's largest annual donors, would not confirm reports that he and others asked the board to turn over control of Harid to a new, more broadly based community board.

``We did make a request to the board, and we have not heard back from them'' Milhous said late Friday.

``We are getting together as a group over the weekend, and I expect we will have something to say shortly.''